Best Poker-Related Movies to Watch

Poker is one of the most popular casino games in the world due to its complexity and competitive aspect. Most casino games have players relying on luck in order for them to win. But with poker, it’s different. There’s a great deal of strategy that’s involved with playing poker, especially when it comes to reading and analyzing other players’ behaviors. That’s why poker is such an entertaining game to watch.

TV shows like Poker After Dark or High Stakes Poker have found much commercial success because of the entertainment value of poker as a sport.

But more than just television, there are also various films that have utilized poker as a storytelling device just to liven up the plot. Naturally, involving a character in a high-stakes poker game can really stir up some excitement and thrill in any kind of movie narrative. However, not all films are always able to execute poker narratives well. In this list, we are going to highlight some of the best poker movies that have ever been made. So, before you start searching for the best online casino in Australia, it’s best that you browse through this list to get some inspiration and motivation to play.

Casino Royale (2006)

James Bond has always been the kind of character that guys have long been wanting to emulate. And when Daniel Craig helmed the role of the super spy for the first time back in 2006, many fans were delighted to see the charismatic actor showcasing his talents paired with a riveting story. The film follows Bond as he tries to unravel a plot that’s being woven by criminal mastermind Le Chiffre.

Bond’s antics put Le Chiffre in a bind, and in a moment of desperation, the villain organizes a high-stakes poker game in order to help fund his terrorist activities. The movie carries with it all of the things that one typically looks for in a Bond film. It has all the cars, gadgets, and fancy clothes. But it also has a compelling story with lots of action and excitement.

High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story (2003)

Not too many younger poker players may be familiar with the name Stu Ungar, but many veterans will know who he is. Many of the older poker players even recognize Stu as perhaps one of the greatest players to have ever sat at a poker table. The movie High Roller is a nuanced chronicling of his life as the man tried to climb his way up the ranks of the elite poker ladder. It’s an impressive film that’s loosely based on real-life events and is a compelling retelling of the amazing life of one of poker’s greatest names.

Molly’s Game (2017)

Molly’s Game is one of the newer films on this list. It was released in 2017 and it stars Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, and Kevin Costner. It’s a film that’s loosely based on the real-life story of Molly Bloom, who is also known as the Poker Queen. While many of the events that take place in the movie are exaggerations of real-life occurrences, it’s still a compelling watch with a lot of heart and emotion.

Rounders (1998)

Many poker fans will say that Rounders is actually the best poker movie ever made. Rounders was originally released back in 1998, but it still holds up today. With an all-star cast headed by superstars Matt Damon and Edward Norton, it can be really hard to go wrong. It’s a story that follows a young gunner named Mike McDermott who has dreams of succeeding as a professional poker player.

Despite his talent, McDermott is limited by his bankroll capital. That’s when he meets a man named Worm who helps bankroll an impressive run as a high-stakes poker player. It’s a film that has a lot of grit, excitement, and thrill. And it’s bound to entertain any avid poker player.